what should i mix with gin 1

What Should I Mix With Gin?

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    Are you looking to mix up your gin game? The only criterion you need to follow when picking a gin mixer is that it should complement juniper. All gin contain juniper berries, which impart their distinctive piney, resinous flavour. 

    When picking a mixer for your gin, you should consider more than just how well it goes with juniper. You can make so many unique, creative concoctions with this versatile spirit that won't disappoint. Whether it's a complex cocktail featuring multiple layers of flavour or a simple, effortless creation made from everyday ingredients - there is something for everyone who loves their gin! 

    Read on to discover some of our favourite recipes and tips for mixing up drinks with gin that will keep your friends coming back for more. So grab your glass, pick out a bottle of your favourite gin, and let's get shaking!

    Whether you’re after something easy drinking for a casual night or something special for your next big occasion - Tar Barrel has got you covered.

    what should i mix with gin 2

    Best Gin Mixers

    It's preferable to try your gin neat to get a feel for its flavour characteristics rather than relying on the recommendations of others or hoping for a happy accident when mixing it with other ingredients.

    If you take the time to experiment and explore different flavour combinations, creating exciting concoctions with great potency is well within reach! Here are some of the best gin mixers to make tasty and tantalising libations that everyone will enjoy!

    Tonic

    The bitter quinine base and slight sweetness of the refreshing perfectly balanced gin's flowery and spicy undertones. Nowadays, consumers can pick from various handmade and commercial tonics.

    Vermouth

    Martinis have been made of gin with dry vermouth for at least a century, but not all dry vermouths are created equal. These days, dry vermouths provide nearly as much variety as gin does.

    Lime

    Since the time of scurvy, when limes were a necessary ingredient in preventing the spread of the disease, they have been a staple ingredient in gin cocktails like the Gimlet and the Gin Rickey. 

    Always use freshly squeezed lime juice when combining, and remember that a little goes a long way: the standard gin-to-lime ratio is 2:1 or 3:1, with simple syrup and liqueur added for sweetness.

    Grapefruit

    The concentrated acidity and subtle bitterness of grapefruit perfectly complement the citrusy, floral, and herbaceous flavours in wide varieties of Western Dry Gin. You can use Amass in a classic cocktail called a Salty Dog, which consists of gin, grapefruit juice, and salt on the rim of the glass.

    Cucumber

    In addition to being delicious, cucumber is a natural hydrator, making it a great complement to lengthy drinks. Peel a long ribbon from cucumbers and put it to garnish a Hendrick's and soda, or muddle a few slices in such a (gin-based) Pimm's Cup or even a G&T for a delightful hot-weather classic.

    Flavoured Seltzer

    Tonic water added to your gin and juice? At this point, communication is possible. Of course, grapefruit and lemon-flavoured seltzers are always safe bets, but don't be afraid to go out and try something new; you could be pleasantly surprised. 

    While the Aviation gin mixed watermelon White Claw looks destined to become a garden party staple, blackberry seltzer delivers the perfect blend between sweetness and tannic depth to showcase the taste range of a decent gin.

    Pineapple Juice

    Pineapple has a sweet, acidic, and somewhat funky flavour and is not limited to tiki beverages. Complex gins like Jaisalmer can handle and even enhance the fruity sweetness of pineapple, while a dab of pineapple juice may perk up even the most basic gin and soda.

    Soda Water

    Soda is superior to tonic. Soda's crisp, mildly mineral fizz lets a gin's flavour stand out without masking it like a tonic might, which is disputed but undeniable.

    Ginger Ale 

    For those who prefer dry drinks, ginger ale or ginger beer is the perfect complement to gin. It's perfect for taming the intensity of gins with bold flavours. As a result of its peppery rather than flowery nature, it complements the robust flavours typically found in gin. If you want to try gin with ginger, you should look for gins infused with spices.

    Elderflower 

    Although the bush bears tiny purple-black berries, the liquor's honey-scented blooms provide the flavour. Elderflower has a pleasant aroma that reminds one of a freshly bloomed field.

    Carbonated elderflower is available for purchase, or you may make your own by mixing elderflower cordial mixed sparkling water; either way, the flavour is subtle and refreshing. Gin and elderflower is a light and refreshing alcoholic beverage, perfect for a warm summer day.

    Lemonade 

    It is generally accepted that many who claim they don't enjoy gin merely don't care for the flavour of the tonic. If you're looking for a sweeter gin cocktail, lemonade is the way to go. The remarkable thing is that you don't have to stick to the manufacturer's suggested recipes; instead, you may get creative with flavoured lemonades, cloudy homemade lemonade, or the addition of fresh berries to amp up the flavour.

    The rose-tinged flavour of pink lemonade pairs well with floral gins, and you should always choose a high-quality lemonade mixer that does justice to the gin's nuanced flavours.

    Bitter Lemon 

    The 20th-century marketing campaign to brand bitter lemon as "the soft drink for adults" overstates the intensity of the flavour. It's common sense to combine the two, as gin and citrus fruits go together well. If you don't care for the typical gin mixer or tonic, this is a nice change of pace.

    A refreshing drink made from water, lemon juice, and quinine was developed to prevent illness and alleviate its symptoms. Modern versions of this cocktail almost appear luminous when exposed to the UV lights found at most nightclubs.

    Cranberry Juice 

    You sampled a cranberry vodka cocktail, but have you ever considered substituting gin? Cranberry juice, like grapefruit juice, adds a tangy flavour that pairs well with gin—assuming that you pick cranberry juice that doesn't have too much extra sugar.

    This delightful cocktail is made by filling a fishbowl gin with ice, adding a shot of Sing Gin, then top it out with high-quality cranberry juice, and then garnishing it with lime.

    Coffee 

    Gin pairs wonderfully with cold-pressed coffee. Due to its strong flavour, coffee might mask the gin's more subtle notes. On the other side, the botanicals in certain gins can bring out the best in coffee's showcasing flavours.

    Earl Grey Tea

    Gin-mixed Earl Grey teas are a great way to kick out the day, and the combination is sometimes referred to as Royal Tea or even the Queen's Tea. The complementary botanicals in both make for a satisfying drink, and on a chilly day, alcoholic hot drinks are hard to beat. 

    You obviously can't because it needs to be warmer for hot toddies, but it's still a good idea to be prepared just in case. Earl Grey tea from Twinings is superb.

    what should i mix with gin

    Methods for Selecting a New Gin-Based Mixer

    Your drink should be served ice cold regardless of the mixer you use. Some of the mixers and their flavours may lack impact and may even be aggressively off-putting at room temperature. Still, the difference produced by a few degrees colder than usual will be palpable.

    Also, as was briefly mentioned up top, different gins pair well with various mixers. Ultimately, if a gin has been meticulously created with a wide variety of exotic botanicals, it is best served with a mixer that doesn't overpower the spirit. 

    In contrast, if the gin is more straightforward, you can risk trying more experimental mixers without completely committing to them. You can choose from many different variations on this theme. 

    The intricacies of the gin you're using may need to be noticed in some mixers' bold flavours. You can get more of the gin's full flavour by using a mixer with a more subtle flavour. Similarly, mixing a high-quality gin with a powerful mixer is pointless because the gin's subtleties will be drowned out. Try a simple mixture with high-quality gin.

    Honey, jam, and marmalade are sometimes overlooked, but they may offer a new dimension of sophistication to your cocktail creations.

    Conclusion

    It's not enough to think about how well a mixer complements juniper when picking a drink to go with your gin. Gin can be used to create anything from elaborate cocktails to easy-to-make concoctions. Tonics, vermouths, limes, grapefruits, and gin are the greatest mixers for gin, but there are many others that can create delicious and enticing drinks. When blending flavours, it's crucial to utilise freshly squeezed lime juice and to not be afraid of trying new things. You can use either two or three parts gin for every one part lime, and then sweeten it with simple syrup or liqueur.

    Muddle a few slices of cucumber in your Hendrick's and soda, Pimm's Cup, or G&T for a refreshing twist on a summertime staple. Gin and juice pair well with flavoured seltzer, pineapple juice, ginger ale, elderflower, and soda water. You can't go wrong with a flavoured seltzer, but don't be afraid to branch out and try something different. In addition to its use in tiki drinks, the sweet, acidic, and somewhat funky flavour of pineapple juice can be found in other kinds of drinks as well. Ginger beer or ginger ale pairs wonderfully with gin because its spicy flavour enhances the spirit's bold aromas and tastes.

    Carbonated elderflower can be purchased or easily prepared at home by combining equal parts elderflower cordial and sparkling water; its delightful aroma is reminiscent of a newly blooming field. Science has proven that soda water is far superior to tonic.

    Mixed drinks based on gin can be made more interesting by using flavoured lemonades, cloudy homemade lemonade, or by adding flavourings such as fresh berries. Pink lemonade, with its hint of rose, goes particularly well with flowery gins; for best results, use a high-quality lemonade mixer that can adequately showcase the nuances of the gin. It makes sense to mix the two, as the 20th-century marketing push that promoted bitter lemon as "the soft drink for adults" exaggerated the severity of the flavour. This cocktail is made by layering ice in a fishbowl, adding a shot of Sing Gin, then layering high-quality cranberry juice on top, and finally garnishing with lime. Although coffee has the potential to overpower the gin's subtler flavours, the botanicals in some gins can actually enhance the coffee's natural flavours.

    Water, lemon juice, and quinine combine to make the delightful drink known as Earl Grey Tea. One popular way to start the day is with a gin and Earl Grey tea cocktail, often known as Royal Tea or the Queen's Tea. No matter the mixer, the difference in temperature will be noticeable and appreciated when served ice cold. If a gin has been painstakingly crafted with a broad variety of exotic botanicals, it is best served with a mixer that doesn't overshadow the spirit because different gins match well with different mixers. If the gin is simple, you can experiment with different mixers without committing to something you don't like. To add a touch of refinement to your cocktail creations, try adding honey, jam, or marmalade.

    Content Summary

    • Any mixer you use for your gin should do one thing: play well with juniper.
    • Juniper berries are an essential ingredient in gin, giving it a signature piney, resinous flavour.
    • You should think about more than how well it complements juniper when selecting a mixer for your gin.
    • With such a wide range of uses, this flexible spirit is perfect for a wide variety of cocktails.
    • There's a gin cocktail for every taste, whether you prefer intricate concoctions with layers of flavour or quick and easy concoctions using common components.
    • Keep reading for some of our favourite gin cocktail recipes and mixing suggestions that are sure to impress your friends and have them begging for more.
    • To begin, get a glass and a bottle of your preferred gin.
    • Instead of taking the word of strangers or hoping for a good accident when mixing it with other ingredients, you should test your gin neat to acquire a feel for its flavour qualities.
    • Creating fascinating mixtures with tremendous strength is completely within your reach if you take the time to experiment and explore different flavour combinations.
    • We've compiled a list of our favourite gin cocktail mixers so you can whip up some delicious drinks for your friends and family.
    • The floral and spicy notes of the gin were well complemented by the quinine backbone and the drink's mild sweetness.
    • Nowadays, buyers have their selection of many different tonics, both homemade and commercial.
    • For at least a century, gin and dry vermouth have been combined to make Martinis, but not all dry vermouths are the same.
    • Dry vermouths have evolved to the point where they now rival gin in terms of variety.
    • Lime juice has been used in gin drinks like the Gimlet and Gin Rickey since the days of scurvy, when it was vital in avoiding the spread of the disease.
    • The usual gin-to-lime ratio is 2:1 or 3:1, with simple syrup and liqueur added for sweetness. When mixing, remember that a little goes a long way by using freshly squeezed lime juice.
    • Cucumber is naturally hydrating and refreshing, making it the perfect accompaniment to long beverages.
    • A refreshing summertime staple is a Hendrick's and soda with a cucumber ribbon on top, or a Pimm's Cup or a G&T with a few cucumber slices muddled in.
    • Grapefruit and lemon-flavoured seltzers are reliable standbys, but branching out is often rewarded.
    • Blackberry seltzer provides the ideal balance between sweetness and tannic depth to display the flavour spectrum of a great gin, while the Aviation gin combined watermelon White Claw seems destined to become a garden party standard.
    • Pineapple's sweet, sour, and funkiness makes it suitable for more than just tiki drinks.
    • Even the most simple gin and soda can benefit from a splash of pineapple juice to amp up the fruity sweetness of gins like Jaisalmer.
    • It is debatable whether or not tonic actually masks gin's flavour, but it is indisputable that soda's crisp, moderately mineral fizz allows the gin's flavour to shine through.
    • Gin pairs well with ginger ale or ginger beer, which are both dry drinks.
    • It works wonderfully for reducing the potency of gins with robust flavour profiles.
    • It pairs well with gin's hearty flavours because of its peppery rather than floral characteristics.
    • Look for spice-infused gins if you want to try gin with ginger.
    • The honey-scented flowers of the bush are what give the liquor its flavour, even though the bush itself produces tiny purple-black berries.
    • Elderflower's scent is reminiscent of a newly flowering field, so it's no surprise that many people find it relaxing.
    • What's truly interesting is that you need not limit yourself to the recipes provided by the manufacturer; rather, you can experiment with things like flavoured lemonades, cloudy homemade lemonade, or the inclusion of fresh berries to amp up the flavour.
    • Pink lemonade, with its hint of rose, goes particularly well with flowery gins; for best results, use a high-quality lemonade mixer that can adequately showcase the nuances of the gin.
    • The bitter lemon was oversold as "the soft drink for adults" in the 20th century, although its actual flavour is more subdued.
    • There's a natural affinity between gin and citrous fruits, so it makes sense to mix the two.
    • This is a great alternative to the standard gin tonic if you're not a fan.
    • In order to prevent disease and ease its symptoms, a refreshing drink including water, lemon juice, and quinine was created.
    • Under the ultraviolet (UV) lighting common in nightclubs, updated versions of this cocktail virtually glow.
    • Have you ever tried a gin version of the cranberry vodka cocktail you tried?
    • Like grapefruit juice, cranberry juice adds an acidic flavour that complements gin, provided that you choose a cranberry juice without too much added sugar.
    • To make this refreshing drink, fill a fishbowl with ice, add a shot of Sing Gin, then top off with premium cranberry juice and a slice of lime.
    • Espresso or cold brew coffee goes great with gin, and vice versa.
    • Coffee's robust flavour may overpower the gin's softer nuances.
    • But the botanicals in some gins may really bring out the finest in coffee's highlighted flavours.
    • The combination of gin and Earl Grey tea is known as Royal Tea or the Queen's Tea and is a terrific way to start the day.
    • Both have tasty botanicals that complement one another, and alcoholic hot beverages are hard to top on a cold day.
    • Because hot toddies require higher temperatures, obviously you can't, but it's smart to be ready anyhow.
    • Twinings' Earl Grey tea is the best of its kind.
    • No matter what mixer you use, your cocktail should be served very chilled.
    • At room temperature, the flavour of some of the mixers and their components may be overpowering or even ineffective.
    • Even so, the deviation of even a few degrees colder than normal will be noticeable.
    • Equally important, as was touched on briefly up top, is that certain mixers complement various gins.
    • It's better to serve a gin that was painstakingly crafted with a wide range of exotic botanicals with a mixer that doesn't drown it out.
    • To the contrary, if the gin is more uncomplicated, you can experiment with different mixers without committing fully to any one of them.
    • The options for modifications on this subject are extensive.
    • In order to appreciate the subtleties of the gin you're using, you may need to sip on some mixers that highlight their powerful flavours.
    • Using a more neutral mixer will allow the gin's true flavour to shine through.
    • The intricacies of a high-quality gin are also lost when mixed with a robust mixer.
    • A good grade gin may elevate a simple cocktail.
    • To add a touch of refinement to your cocktail creations, try adding honey, jam, or marmalade.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Cream Soda -They tend to pair well with spiced gins or even aged gins. Typically it's helpful to use tart citrus as a garnish to balance out the sweetness.

     

    Drinking a spirit neat means you drink it without any additional preparation. This means no chilling, no ice, and no mix.

     

    Try orange, mango, pineapple and apple juices if you have a sweet tooth, or cranberry and grapefruit if you prefer a bitter twist.

     

    Juniper berries give gin its characterful and invigorating pine-like quality.

     

    Gin has an herbal flavour marked with citrus and spices. Most gin is dry with a noticeable pine flavour because juniper dominates traditional recipes.

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